Eminent Chancellor, on behalf of the Council and Senate I present to you Robert Allen Kilpatrick. Mr. Kilpatrick graduated from the College of Education in 1956 and has had an outstanding career with the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce, Department of Western Economic Diversification and External Affairs and International Trade Canada. Mr. Kilpatrick is currently Deputy Minister for International Trade and Associate Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs, External Affairs and International Trade Canada. In addition, he is Commissioner of the Northern Pipeline Agency and a Director of the Export Development Corporation.
1995 is the beginning of the second century of the Canadian International Trade Services. The International Trade Service has served Canada extremely well and Mr. Kilpatrick, as a senior manager of this Service, has made a significant contribution to Saskatchewan's and Canada's economic development. The Trade Commissioner Service plays and an important role in making Canadian organizations "export ready" (approximately 25% of Canada's gross domestic product is dependent on exports) and the role of the Service is expanding as a result of the formation of trading blocks throughout the world.
The Trade Commissioner Service has taken on the responsibility of promoting and supporting international business education in Canada's universities. The Centre for International Business Studies at the University of Saskatchewan is one example of federal initiatives in international business education, and Canada's Trade Commissioners have been extremely active in facilitating the Centre's development of a number of innovative programs. Mr. Kilpatrick was instrumental in providing early support to the College of Commerce's international business programs and in his current position ensures that all Trade Commissioners are aware of the usefulness of these programs to students and business organizations.
Mr. Kilpatrick was a Senior Pin at Bedford Road Collegiate, Saskatoon. Upon graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in 1956, Mr. Kilpatrick accepted a teaching position at Indian Head. He left the teaching profession early and since 1960 has served Canada in various trade and diplomatic positions in Prague, Accra, Mexico, the United States, Hong Kong and Australia. When he was in Australia as Canadian High Commissioner, and before the completion of the normal tour of duty, Mr. Kilpatrick was asked to become Deputy Minister, Department of Western Economic Diversification. He brought thirty years of international experience to this very important position and during his tenure introduced a number of measures which reflected his interest in reviewing the agency's direction, assessing its people and strengthening the management of its "Investment Portfolio." Under Mr. Kilpatrick's leadership, Western Economic Diversification began to shift its focus from development, to delivery and evaluation. Mr. Kilpatrick's colleagues describe him as a gifted, thoughtful manager, an unassuming person and a good friend.
It is with pride that his alma mater today honours a great Canadian with a commitment to enhancing the international experiences of our students and to the development of export markets for our businesses.
Eminent Chancellor, I present to you Robert Alien Kilpatrick and ask that you will confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa.